NEWS

Publicans across the South West are calling on the government to take positive action and ease mounting financial pressures on pubs ahead of this week’s Budget, warning that the sector is at a critical tipping point.   They say rising costs and increased taxation are threatening the survival of thousands of pubs - many of which are the beating heart of their communities.   Kevin Georgel, Chief Executive of St Austell Brewery, which operates 164 pubs across the region, said: “

VISIT FLANDERS  announces Adept Brewery as one of the three guest breweries we are showcasing at the annual British Guild of Beer Writers Awards Dinner on 27 November 2025 at Big Penny Social in London..  As part of its ongoing commitment to promoting the rich heritage and innovative spirit of Belgian beer culture, VISIT FLANDERS will be sponsoring the Best Communication about Beer and Travel  award. This year, attendees are invited to sample a range of Belgian craft beers, i

The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) is delighted to announce the winners of the 2025 National Innovation in Training Awards (NITAs). The NITAs and People Conference celebrate the exceptional individuals and businesses in the pub sector who put people at the heart of hospitality. Each year, the awards recognise those who go above and beyond to champion training, development, sustainability and wellbeing within their teams, ensuring a thriving and sustainable future for t

The Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) has launched its Industry Report Questionnaire, an industry survey which garners data for the SIBA Independent Beer Report and influences the future direction of the trade association.   SIBA use the results of the in-depth survey of independent breweries to fight for a fairer deal for brewers - from lobbying Government on taxation and support, to improving access to market for breweries. The extensive surveying of inde

The Steeplechase on Bridge Street in Uttoxeter reopened last Friday 7 th  November following a phenomenal investment of more than £305,000. The pub is part of Proper Pubs, the award-winning community wet-led operator division of Admiral Taverns, which operates more than 220 pubs across England, Scotland and Wales.  Inside, The Steeplechase has been completely transformed to modernise and elevate the pub’s look and feel. Thanks to the investment, the pub now boasts brand-new f

The Athelstan Arms on Cranleigh Road in Bournemouth reopened on Thursday 30th October, following a major investment of over £420,000. The pub is part of Proper Pubs, the award-winning community wet led operator division of Admiral Taverns, which operates more than 220 pubs across England, Scotland and Wales. Inside, The Athelstan underwent a complete transformation including all new fixtures, fittings, flooring, and furniture to give the pub a fresh new lease of life. The int

The Travellers Rest in Featherstone, Pontefract officially reopened on Thursday 6th November following a transformational investment of nearly £320,000. The pub is part of Proper Pubs, the award‑winning community wet‑led operator division of Admiral Taverns, which operates more than 220 pubs across England, Scotland and Wales. Inside, The Travellers Rest has been completely refreshed to breathe a new lease of life into the pub and create a vibrant, welcoming space across its

Lindford pub The Royal Exchange celebrated its 10 th anniversary last Saturday (15 November) with a party to thank its customers and staff – and offered selected drinks at 2015 prices during a ‘back to the future’ session in the evening. The celebrations marked 10 years since The Royal Exchange reopened in 2015, after it was saved from permanent closure by a strong Save the Pub campaign by the local community. Around 100 people, including Gregory Stafford, MP for Farnham and

THE founder and master brewer of one of Scotland’s best-loved beers, Innis & Gunn, has today backed calls from Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Alex Cole Hamilton for pubs to be given ‘special dispensation’ to screen Scotland’s 2026 World Cup matches late at night.  The tournament will be hosted in North America, with a time difference of at least five hours, meaning some of Scotland’s fixtures could be shown as late as 2am.   Dougal Sharp, founder and Master Brewer, at Edinb

Brussels Beer Challenge 2025 © Bart Van der Perre The Brewers Association is proud to announce the success of its Export Development Programme (EDP) American craft brewery members at two prestigious international beer competitions - Brussels Beer Challenge and European Beer Star - where an impressive haul of medals was garnered on both occasions. Brussels Beer Challenge The 14th edition of the Brussels Beer Challenge was held in Marche en Famenne, Belgium, in early November 2

Alcohol-free craft brewer Drop Bear Beer Co. is celebrating its first UK-wide supermarket deal, securing shelf space for its newly released Peach Cut Lager in 475 Morrisons stores. Available in hundreds of Morrisons stores from November 24th, the 0.5% ABV fruit cut lager will be available nationwide in four-packs of 330ml cans ( RRP £5 ). First launched in July this year, Drop Bear Peach Cut Lager is a “crisp European lager with a smooth stone fruit twist. Peach Cut Lager is

John Porter & Ros Shiel will deliver this hour long PR Masterclass Obtaining media coverage for your own organisation if you work in-house, or on behalf of clients, is core to successful PR. However, getting the right information in front of the right journalist at the right time can be a daunting prospect. Ros Shiel and John Porter have extensive experience of working both sides of the street in PR terms: Ros as a PR consultant both in-house and in agencies, and John as a jo

The British Guild of Beer Writers is putting out a call to all great event organisers, asking for pitches for our industry awards and guild dinner in 2026.  The awards offers one of the biggest prize pots in British journalism, and the annual dinner is attended by around 200 of the industry's biggest names. After decades as a formal dinner and awards night we are looking to make the event a little more casual, while losing none of the gravitas the awards hold. We are also awa

Commenting on the Minister for Communities statement on the review of the liquor licensing system including the surrender principle, SIBA NI Chair William Mayne said:   “Today the minister has shut the pub door on beer drinkers and NI’s independent breweries by dismissing the substantial recommendations for reforms made by the independent review of the licensing system.   “Drinkers want to enjoy a locally produced beer in our pubs but the system prevents the vast majority of

Consumer group CAMRA NI says it is furious at Communities Minister’s decision to block modernising of alcohol licensing system   The Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons MLA, today gave an oral statement to the Assembly outlining his response to an independent review of Northern Ireland’s outdated alcohol licensing system and the ‘surrender principle’ which means a licence has to be given up before a new pub or off-licence can open.    Experts from the University of Stirlin

Nominations have opened for CAMRA’s Campaigner of the Year Award , recognising those who have gone above and beyond for pubs, pints and people. CAMRA’s  Campaigner of the Year  award celebrates a person or group whose campaigning efforts have created positive change for pubs, clubs, cask beer or real cider and perry over the past year. The award puts a face and personality to CAMRA’s aims and goals, with members recommending those who have fought effective campaigns locally o

Arthur with Vic Chadwick from The Bell The descendants of a man who took on The Bell in Smarden 100 years ago gathered there to mark the centenary.   Seventeen members of the Hughes family got together at the Shepherd Neame pub in Bell Lane to raise a glass or two to long-serving pub couple Gordon Hughes, who became licensee at 19, and his new bride Daisy (nee Clark) in 1925.   He wrote in his un-published handwritten memoirs, which his son Arthur, 83, still has: “I had becom

The Royal Dyche Burnley Sports Teams - photo credit PubAid Local pubs are powering 6.7 million sport sessions a year  1.67 million people are kept active by pubs   Support for sport same since 2019 despite challenges faced by sector  British pubs are powering the nation’s grassroots and community sports clubs having served up £40 million in financial support over the past year, a new report has revealed. Pubs Power Sport from PubAid has shone a light on the huge value pubs a

Ahead of the festive season comes a new beer from Outland - Choc-Work Orange. At 5% ABV, it combines the chocolatey smoothness and comfort of a stout with citrus zest and bittersweet bite. Choc-Work Orange is brewed with roasted malts that create a deep cocoa base while Goldings, Challenger and Target hops add zesty notes, and added natural flavours create an orange tang. The result is a dark, velvety, indulgent drink that’s perfect for sipping on long winter evenings. This i

Beer Passport is a pocket-sized collection of more than 80 of the best craft brewery taprooms across London. With Beer Passport you can EXPLORE London’s thriving craft brewery scene, DISCOVER exciting and interesting new breweries and DRINK excellent beer. Beer Passport holders receive exclusive discounts at every brewery taproom, such as Buy One Get One Free, 50% off a flight of beer, or even a free pint. The taprooms range from some of the biggest and best-known across Lond